Quote:
Originally Posted by BC-Axeman
I am already sick of the term "heat index", it is completely subjective and unscientific. It means no more than saying "damn hot" or "really damn hot". It's like saying the water seems deeper if it is freezing cold as compared to lukewarm. "Feels like" to one person is not the same as to another.
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I may be wrong but I believe actuall temp does not take into account humidity. The heat index simply accounts for the other factors and gives you a more realistic temperature. Yes the term is kind of annoying but relevent on days like today.
Example 99 degrees without humidity is much cooler than 99 degrees with 60% humudity yet, the temperature will remain the same.
Found this and it makes sense that it wouldn't be accurate for everybody however it still makes more sense than straight temperature readings. I do see how somebody could argue either side:
Measurements have been taken based on subjective descriptions of how hot subjects feel for a given temperature and humidity, allowing an index to be made which relates one temperature and humidity combination to another at a higher temperature in drier air.
The heat index contains assumptions about the human body mass and height, clothing, amount of physical activity, thickness of blood, sunlight and ultraviolet radiation exposure, and the wind speed. Significant deviations from these will result in heat index values which do not accurately reflect the perceived temperature.
